Landmark Books in All Fields
ItemID: #123543
Cost: $2,600.00

Poster inscribed ["Maurice Sendak: An Exhibition of Pictures"]

Maurice Sendak

WONDERFUL POSTER FOR "MAURICE SENDAK: AN EXHIBITION OF PICTURES" AT THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM IN 1976, FEATURING AN ILLUSTRATION OF SENDAK'S WILD THINGS, INSCRIBED BY SENDAK FOR PRESENTATION AND FROM THE COLLECTION OF A CLOSE FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR

SENDAK, Maurice. Poster inscribed ["Maurice Sendak: An Exhibition of Pictures"]. No place: No publisher, 1976. Color poster, measuring 13-1/2 by 17-1/2 inches; lined on verso and handsomely framed, entire piece measures 14-1/4 by 18-1/4 inches. $2600.

Large color poster, illustrated by Maurice Sendak with two Wild Things characters, promoting an exhibition of Sendak's pictures at Oxford's Ashmolean Museum in 1976, inscribed for presentation to a close friend and neighbor: "For Andrew—from Maurice Sendak Jan. '76."

This poster advertises a Winter 1976 exhibition of Maurice Sendak's work at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. The poster features an iconic Sendak illustration of the Wild Things, Sipi and Moishe. Hanrahan C5f. The former owner of this inscribed print was Maurice Sendak's neighbor, Andrew, from Ridgefield, Connecticut. Sendak bought a home and studio in Ridgefield in 1972 with his longtime partner, Eugene Glynn, and lived there until his death. Andrew first encountered Sendak in 1975 during one of his daily dog walks. (Sendak owned many dogs throughout his life, and they often starred in his books.) Andrew was immediately taken with Sendak, who reminded him of his recently deceased father. One day, Andrew called Sendak at home and asked if he could join him on his walks. Andrew and Sendak thus embarked on a 37-year friendship that also included the Andrew's mother, Betty, as well as Andrew's brother. Sendak went on long walks and hikes with Andrew and his family regularly, discussing general life events, opera, and books. He also invited them into his studio to show off works in progress. Andrew's mother, Betty, was an avid reader and collector and she and Sendak would talk late into the night about books. Sendak offered Betty advice about how to find and authenticate rare children's books, which she used to build her collection. Additionally, he frequently bartered for autographs (e.g. a cake for an inscribed drawing). The many inscribed drawings, along with first editions, signed books, and other valuable items grew into one of the country's premier Sendak collections.

Small, faint spot of yellowing. About-fine condition.

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